Can a Parent Get a Custody Order That Includes Scheduled Phone Calls
My question involves a child custody case from the State of: CA
My kids live a hundred miles away. I have visitation two weekends a month. Sometimes it's 3 weeks between a visit during months with 5 weekends. I like to keep in touch every 3-4 days in between visits.
Up until a few months ago this hasn't been a problem. For the last few months, my ex is making no effort to have my kids call or go on Skype. I text her asking if the kids can call, and she just ignores me.
I try to keep the calls short (e.g. How's school? Do anything fun this weekend? etc...).
Is it reasonable to ask the court to require periodic phone calls or skype? Do they order this kind of thing?
Re: Is It Possible to Get Scheduled Phone Calls Ordered
Yes, the courts can and do order phone calls between parents and children.
Re: Is It Possible to Get Scheduled Phone Calls Ordered
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Good Guy
Up until a few months ago this hasn't been a problem. For the last few months, my ex is making no effort to have my kids call or go on Skype. I text her asking if the kids can call, and she just ignores me.
How old are your kids?
Has it occurred to you that they may have reached an age where they have better things to do than talking to parents?
Understand that no court order against your ex is going to compel your kids to communicate with you. How do you think you will come across when Mom says "Daddy took me to court and the judge says I have to make you talk to him or I'll be in trouble"?
I suggest another approach. Next time you visit your kids, talk to them about keeping in touch and try and find out what's going on in their lives that prevents them from communicating with you and if there is anything you can do for them to facilitate contacts.
Nothing stopping you from texting them or skyping them or sending them emails. If you don't get replies it's likely not your ex's fault.
Re: Is It Possible to Get Scheduled Phone Calls Ordered
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Quoting
Good Guy
My question involves a child custody case from the State of: CA
My kids live a hundred miles away. I have visitation two weekends a month. Sometimes it's 3 weeks between a visit during months with 5 weekends. I like to keep in touch every 3-4 days in between visits.
Up until a few months ago this hasn't been a problem. For the last few months, my ex is making no effort to have my kids call or go on Skype. I text her asking if the kids can call, and she just ignores me.
I try to keep the calls short (e.g. How's school? Do anything fun this weekend? etc...).
Is it reasonable to ask the court to require periodic phone calls or skype? Do they order this kind of thing?
Why do you expect the kids to call you rather than the other way around?
Re: Is It Possible to Get Scheduled Phone Calls Ordered
Wait a minute. I see custodial parents get ripped on here all the time because they don't "make" their kids talk to their other parent when they call or want to talk to them and now this guy is getting questioned because he wants to talk to his kids?
He asks her if they can call him back. My ex used to do that. He would ask if he could talk to the kids and usually they would either call from their mom's phone or they used his daughter's phone once she got one.
I'm just confused as to when custodial parents say they don't make their kids talk to the other parent they get ripped a new one for interfering or being a bad parent. This guy is trying to talk to his kids and the custodial parent is ignoring him suddenly and it's somehow his fault or "maybe the kids don't want to talk to you." Just weird.
Re: Is It Possible to Get Scheduled Phone Calls Ordered
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qwaspolk69
Wait a minute. I see custodial parents get ripped on here all the time because they don't "make" their kids talk to their other parent when they call or want to talk to them and now this guy is getting questioned because he wants to talk to his kids?
He asks her if they can call him back. My ex used to do that. He would ask if he could talk to the kids and usually they would either call from their mom's phone or they used his daughter's phone once she got one.
I'm just confused as to when custodial parents say they don't make their kids talk to the other parent they get ripped a new one for interfering or being a bad parent. This guy is trying to talk to his kids and the custodial parent is ignoring him suddenly and it's somehow his fault or "maybe the kids don't want to talk to you." Just weird.
He says that he texts her asking her to have the kids call him. I am sorry, but that is weird. If he wants to talk to the kids he should CALL and ask to speak to them.
Yes, when we hear the story from the custodial parent's point of view they do often get ripped for not making the children speak to the other parent. However, sometimes they do not...because sometimes they have valid reasons (the other parent is calling after bedtime, for example, the other parent is obviously drunk or any number of things that make phone calls inappropriate at that given time).
I do really have a problem however, with this parent complaining that mom is making no effort to have the kid call HIM. Sorry, but as I said earlier, if he wants to talk to his children he should pick up the phone and call them...not send mom a text asking her to have the children call HIM.
Re: Is It Possible to Get Scheduled Phone Calls Ordered
The kids are getting older and I understand they don't want to talk to me all the time, but I think a 10 minute call once or twice a week is reasonable.
They are usually pretty busy, that's why I text mom. I don't want to call when they are having dinner, working on homework, taking a shower, etc... Maybe we just see things differently. I think the idea of calling someone cold is more intrusive than a message asking the kids to call when they are free.
There's a lot of backstory behind my comment about mom not making any effort. It's more like she is deliberately driving a wedge between me and the kids. That's all I'll say about that.
Re: Is It Possible to Get Scheduled Phone Calls Ordered
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Quoting
Good Guy
The kids are getting older and I understand they don't want to talk to me all the time, but I think a 10 minute call once or twice a week is reasonable.
They are usually pretty busy, that's why I text mom. I don't want to call when they are having dinner, working on homework, taking a shower, etc... Maybe we just see things differently. I think the idea of calling someone cold is more intrusive than a message asking the kids to call when they are free.
There's a lot of backstory behind my comment about mom not making any effort. It's more like she is deliberately driving a wedge between me and the kids. That's all I'll say about that.
She can only do that if you allow her to do so.
ETA: Ah. In actual fact, you've both contributed to the current situation, haven't you?
(post hx)
Re: Can a Parent Get a Custody Order That Includes Scheduled Phone Calls
Read this.
If your children are "getting older" you need to find ways to make them want to have a relationship with you, not to force them. That starts with you.
Re: Is It Possible to Get Scheduled Phone Calls Ordered
Quote:
Quoting
Good Guy
The kids are getting older and I understand they don't want to talk to me all the time, but I think a 10 minute call once or twice a week is reasonable.
They are usually pretty busy, that's why I text mom. I don't want to call when they are having dinner, working on homework, taking a shower, etc... Maybe we just see things differently. I think the idea of calling someone cold is more intrusive than a message asking the kids to call when they are free.
There's a lot of backstory behind my comment about mom not making any effort. It's more like she is deliberately driving a wedge between me and the kids. That's all I'll say about that.
I don't see a problem with sending a text and asking if they're busy. Maybe just follow up with a phone call or text her asking her "what are the best times I can call?"